Question

Name the three forms in which energy from oceans is made available for use. What are OTEC power plants? How do they operate?

Answer 1

Hint: We know that oceans are abundant natural resources that replenish and sustain our nature. To find the forms of energy that we gain from oceans, we have to analyse the natural elements of the ocean and the possible application of the technology that should be used in these certain elements.

Complete step by step answer:
The term ocean energy usually refers to all forms of the renewable energy resources that are derived from the sea or the ocean. The three forms in which ocean energy is available to us are as follows:
 -Wave energy: It is the transmission and capturing of energy by the surface waves on the ocean. It is generated by the up and down motion of a floating device that is kept on the surface of the sea.
-Tidal energy: It is produced from the oceanic tides. This is don’t with the help of tidal energy generators. Underwater turbines help in its generation.
-Thermal energy: The temperature difference or gradient between ocean waters and deep ocean waters are harnessed here.
OTEC stands for Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion. Water at the sea level is always heated up continuously due to sunlight. But the water in the deep sea level is relatively colder due to the low penetration by sun rays. This difference is used efficiently in OTEC plants.

Note: Ocean energy is advantageous as it is renewable, abundant, environment friendly and easy to predict. There are different ways to harness it too.
However, this is limited to only some areas and it affects the marine ecosystem. It performs poor performance in inconvenient weather.